Pushing Frontiers of Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery

About Dr. Riju Nair

Dr. Riju Rajsenan Nair is a Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon with a special interest in advanced cardiac, thoracic, and vascular interventions. His practice combines surgical precision, evidence-based decision-making, and a patient-first philosophy aimed at delivering the highest standards of care while ensuring every treatment plan remains individualized and compassionate.

Raised in Kerala, Dr. Nair completed his MBBS at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, before pursuing his Doctorate of National Board (DrNB) in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre, Madurai—one of South India's leading cardiac surgery centres. During his training, he had the privilege of working under renowned pioneers in the specialty, including Dr. Rm. Krishnan and Dr. M. Rajan, gaining extensive experience in complex adult cardiac surgery, aortic surgery, thoracic surgery, and mechanical circulatory support.

Following his specialist training, he further expanded his expertise through exposure to advanced cardiac and minimally invasive surgical programmes, including a clinical observership in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Narayana Health, Bengaluru. His professional journey subsequently took him to Caritas Hospital, Kottayam, where he worked within a high-volume cardiac surgery programme and gained valuable exposure to minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He subsequently joined Rajagiri Hospital, Kochi, as Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, where he worked alongside Dr. Shiv K. Nair, one of India's most respected cardiac surgeons and former President of the Indian Association of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons (IACTS). During this period, he played a key role in establishing and developing a Robotic Thoracic Surgery Programme, helping expand access to advanced minimally invasive thoracic surgery for patients across Kerala.

Currently, Dr. Nair serves as Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Welcare Hospital, Kochi. He has been instrumental in establishing the Department of Cardiac Sciences from inception, working closely with hospital leadership, investors, engineers, industry partners, and multidisciplinary teams to build a modern, technology-driven cardiac sciences programme. His contributions have included infrastructure planning, technology acquisition, workflow design, programme development, and the establishment of comprehensive services encompassing adult cardiac surgery, aortic surgery, thoracic surgery, peripheral vascular interventions, trauma surgery, and advanced critical care support.

Dr Riju Nair

Dr. Nair's clinical interests span the entire spectrum of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, with particular focus on:

  • Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)

  • Complex coronary revascularization including coronary endarterectomy

  • Valvular heart surgery

  • Aortic surgery and endovascular interventions

  • Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS)

  • Robotic thoracic surgery

  • Mechanical circulatory support

  • ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)

  • ECPR and advanced cardiogenic shock management

  • Chest wall reconstruction and trauma surgery

  • Peripheral vascular interventions

A strong advocate of innovation in cardiac surgery, Dr. Nair has actively participated in the development of minimally invasive and hybrid cardiac surgical programmes. He believes that advanced surgical technologies should not remain confined to a few elite centres but should be translated into safe, reproducible, and accessible care for larger patient populations. His long-term vision is to contribute to making Kochi and South India recognized centres of excellence for minimally invasive, robotic, hybrid, and advanced aortic surgery.

Alongside his clinical practice, Dr. Nair maintains a deep commitment to academic medicine. He has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in national and international journals covering diverse topics including mechanical complications of myocardial infarction, infective endocarditis, ECMO, complex vascular pathology, and advanced surgical management strategies. He serves as a reviewer for several international journals, including the Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery and BMC Cardiovascular Disorders, contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge within the specialty.

His academic work has been presented at numerous regional, national, and international scientific meetings. Over the years, he has participated as a delegate, presenter, invited speaker, and faculty member at conferences across India and abroad, including scientific meetings in Japan and multiple national cardiothoracic and ECMO forums. His presentations have focused on contemporary challenges in cardiac surgery, ECMO, mechanical complications of myocardial infarction, aortic surgery, goal-directed perfusion, and evolving strategies in advanced cardiovascular care.

Beyond the operating room, Dr. Nair remains deeply interested in surgical innovation, technology integration, perfusion science, and the future of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He believes that excellence in modern healthcare requires a combination of technical mastery, lifelong learning, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a relentless commitment to patient outcomes.

Outside medicine, he enjoys photography, travel, endurance activities, and exploring new places and cultures. These experiences provide balance to a demanding surgical career and continually reinforce the values of curiosity, perspective, and human connection that he brings to his practice.

Whether managing a routine cardiac procedure or a highly complex surgical challenge, Dr. Nair approaches every patient with the same guiding principles: precision, transparency, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome.

Because Every Heart Matters !

Have a question about your heart health? Looking to understand your treatment options or seeking an opinion?

Whether you need guidance, reassurance, or expert surgical consultation, feel free to reach out. Every journey to better heart health begins with a CONVERSATION…